Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 17, 2017)

Over the last one year, the digital space has grown by leaps and bounds. Until some time ago, the common perception was that it was meant only for struggling actors. However, with many A-list names experimenting with different ideas on this platform, it has become a burgeoning ground for diverse content and finite series. While Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui will be seen in a web series based on author Vikram Chandra’s 2006 novel Sacred Games, Irrfan Khan will play an aspiring politician in The Ministry, a satire set in India’s corridors of power.

Anil Kapoor was one of the first few to introduce finite series on the Indian small screen when he decided to produce and act in 24. On the sidelines of an event for Amazon Prime Video, the actor, who has been roped in to play a pivotal role in The Book Of Strange New Things (a web series based on Michel Faber’s novel by the same name), talks about how the digital space is a great platform for such series. He also shares his views about the ongoing debate on how this new-age revolution might end up killing the theatre experience.

FINITE WEB SERIES ARE THE FUTURE
Anil is clear about one thing. “Everybody’s going to do web series,” he exclaims. “That’s the future. Trust me when I say this! See, what happens is our job, as an actor, is to tell stories and reach out to the world. Now, we are fortunate that sitting in India, we can reach out to more people.”

While many believe that top actors won’t be willing to jump on the digital bandwagon immediately, Anil feels there’s no reason to think that way. “Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui are doing Sacred Games while Rajkummar Rao was recently seen in Bose: Dead Or Alive. Likewise, for the small screen, Amitabh Bachchan played the protagonist in Yudh and I did 24. If you pitch such finite series to any big star, explain the story, their role and promise them as much or sometimes, even more money, why won’t they do it?” he asks.

‘I CAN TELL MORE STORIES’
What makes Anil glad is the scope and opportunities that the space entails. He asserts, “I have always wanted to do different things. With web series becoming such a huge rage today, it has made me happier. Somehow, this has extended my career by a few more years (smiles). I have been working for almost 40 years. Now, thanks to the digital space, I can be content because I can tell more stories, play more characters and do the kind of work that I want to.”

CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE
Today with the audience becoming more critical of the content that is provided to them, actors and filmmakers are making a lot of effort to get the whole look and the characters’ nuances right. However, the actor reminisces how he used to be mocked by many around him when he would do the same. “When I started my career with films by Mani Ratnam and other such creative directors, I would get into my character completely — whether it was putting on weight or growing a moustache. People felt main zyada international hoon (Laughs). At that time, it was taken in a negative way. They would say, ‘(Yeh) bahut zyada pakata hai, questions puchhta hai aur mehnaat karta hai." What about now, we ask! He smiles, “Now, that has become the biggest plus, especially for marketing. People are excited and love it. So, what can be better for an actor like me than this.”

WEB SERIES VERSUS FILMS!
Though the digital platform has found many takers among viewers who enjoy watching diverse content, there's also an ongoing debate about how it might eventually affect the business of cinema, resulting in huge losses for producers and filmmakers. Anil, however, believes, “We should make films which are entertaining because the audience in our country wants just that. But sometimes, movies that have a fresh take are made and people still go to see them. Obviously, you have to work harder to make the story-telling so engaging that people are forced to go to theatres. Then what happens is you have theatrical and digital platforms, and the revenue is also balanced from all points of view."

The actor filmed the pilot of the digital adaptation of author Michel Faber’s 2014 bestseller
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 23, 2016)


In August, when Anil Kapoor’s international agent David Unger first brought him the offer to feature in the pilot episode of an Amazon Global Original based on Michel Faber’s 2014 sci-fi bestseller, The Book of Strange New Things, the 59-year-old actor had two reasons to turn it down — his son Harshvardhan was gearing up for his big Bollywood debut with Mirzya and he was filming the second season of his Indian TV show, 24, till September 19.

But keen to have him on board, the English makers chose to wait for him, and on October 7, Anil took off to South Africa to step into the role of the authoritarian Vikram Danesh for the pilot of the series.

The digital adaptation follows the story of an English priest who is sent into space to help establish a new colony but what he discovers there not only puts his faith to test but also life as he knows it. The priest comes across the planet of Oasis and meets Anil’s character who is its leader.

Penned by Bridge of Spies writer Matt Charman, who is also the executive producer, the pilot is directed by Kevin MacDonald whose 2006 film, The Last King of Scotland, received global critical acclaim and won its lead actor, Forest Whitaker, the Oscar for Best Actor. His 2009 political-thriller, State of Play, featured Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck in a face-off. “I felt fortunate for this opportunity because of the genius that Kevin is! I saw the most magnificent content unfold in front of my eyes as I watched him direct,” Kapoor reminisces, adding that it would have been “devastating” if he’d missed out on this role. The part also marks his international debut on the digital platform, a first for a Bollywood A-lister. Next up, Kapoor has his fingers crossed as the makers wait to hear if the show is picked up for a complete season by Amazon Studios.

The actor-producer whose repertoire of international hits including Oscar favourite, Slumdog Millionnaire, where he put then debutant Dev Patel on the hot-seat, lending his voice for Family Guy, featuring as the President of the fictional country of Kamlistan in the hit American series 24, and a special appearance in the Tom Cruise-starrer Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, says that he’s not scared of failure at all. “If I shoot for a project and it doesn’t work, I’m okay with that. People will make fun of me but that keeps me on my toes. I am always ready to fail,” he smiles, pointing out that he is in sync with the changing times and is enjoying adapting to technological advancements in cinema.

“At the moment, content is consumed more than food. From a five-year-old to an old man in a hospital, everyone is constantly consuming content on their phones,” he asserts, throwing more light on his process of getting into his newest character.

“When I prep for a role, I don’t look at only what I am doing as an actor. Instead, I prefer to educate myself. Vikram Danesh is such a magnificent part. Even the costume designer was an Oscar-winner,” Anil beams.

Like he brought the real-time show 24 to India with an official Hindi remake, does he plan to so something on similar lines with his new show? “Amazon’s plans for India are incredible. They’re launching soon. It will blow everybody’s mind away. People just need to wait and watch,” he signs off with a wink.
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Upala KBR (DNA; November 23, 2016)

Anil Kapoor makes his digital debut with Amazon Originals’ new sci-fi drama pilot, The Book Of Strange New Things, based on the book by Michael Faber. The one-hour pilot is set to be written and executive produced by Matt Charman (Bridge Of Spies) with Kevin MacDonald (The Last King Of Scotland) directing. Here, the actor talks about his digital debut...

What made you say yes?
I like to keep re-inventing myself. I like to put myself in a situation where there is a possibility that I can fail. Acting in English is so scary. You can’t keep on working with people you know. You may fail in an unfamiliar format and I know I am petrified today about working in The Book of Strange New Things. But when I am petrified, it pushes me to challenge myself further. I like to push my boundaries!

Please continue...
So, when I get an opportunity to push myself I grab it. Like I did with my first Hollywood film Slumdog Millionaire where I played an anchor and had to suddenly speak in English. I did 24 and could have failed there on the small screen, but I just worked harder. When I did Mission Impossible, I was scared again. Though it was a huge success, it was a small cameo. It wasn’t a lead role and I had to do my best to stand out. I admire all the famous character actors like Paresh Rawal, Naseerudin Shah, Pankaj Kapur and Ben Kingsley. Doing different things is the only way I can sharpen my skills and not stagnate as an actor.

You haven’t attempted science fiction before...
This was a scary factor for me. Now, thanks to this, I am seeing all those sci-fi films and understanding what it is about. I have seen Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars, but that’s about it. I am a boy from Chembur, what do I know about such people? I just knew that Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon. But now, slowly when I watch sci-fi cinema, I enjoy it more. By the way, Sonam has read the book and loved it.

Are you playing a grey character in the web series?
I will say that Danesh is a very complex character, so that makes it more interesting and exciting. I feel challenged and excited as an actor. It’s a completely alien zone for me and that’s also the biggest advantage. I was speaking to Shekhar Kapur about it and that I am getting to work with some of the world’s best creative teams. The director and producer are Oscar winners and the writer is an Oscar nominee. These are people who are respected all over the world. I feel very strongly that streaming is the future of the world, so why not stick out my neck now and see what happens? I am getting this opportunity to work with some phenomenal talent, so ghus jao!

Would you do a bold streaming series?
My role is the most important thing to me as well the people around it who are at the helm of affairs. Those are my priorities — the producer, director, studio and my role, then I go into the content. It can be anything from the simplest one to the boldest. It has to excite me, and if it does, I will do it. To see how bold my role is, is not my criteria as an actor. I just go with my instincts. I loved the story of the show and I said yes.

What is next for your television production after 24?
I’m fully into the production phase now with the Indian versions of Modern Family, Prison Break and the third season of 24.

Your 24 won six trophies at the Indian TV awards. Were you expecting it to do so well?
No. I didn’t expect it this time. I thought they wouldn’t give it to me as I didn’t attend. Sometimes, you can guess whether they are genuine or not and you can tell them from before so getting so many was a pleasant surprise. I couldn’t attend the event as I was at the International Children’s Film Festival in Jaipur.